< Thermal reactors are what BMW used instead of exhaust manifolds so they could run leaded gas instead of a cat. They look like a large sheet metal exhaust manifold with air injection into it from the smog pump. They act like an afterburner to burn off emissions and do a good job at it but also cause the car and engine compartment to run hot because they are an afterburner. Don't confuse them with a regular exhaust manifold because of the heat shield though.